5 Innovative Medical Technology Breakthroughs Impacting Healthcare

After nearly a decade of stagnation, the medical technology industry has exploded in recent years. With innovative advances in technology, increased adoption rates in healthcare facilities, and tremendous outside investment to fund cutting-edge research and development, the growth the industry has shown in recent years promises to continue.

Here are some of the more innovative recent medical technology breakthroughs.

1. Electronic Aspirin

For people that deal with chronic headaches and migraines, the time-tested treatment has been to take aspirin and avoid light. Much to the chagrin of those who encounter chronic headaches, there are not many preventative options. That could change soon.

A new medical technology that is currently under clinical investigation could present a long-term treatment. Autonomic Technologies, Inc. has developed an implant device that detects oncoming headaches and sends electronic signals to prevent it.

2. Digital Imaging for Child Birth

Monitoring blood loss during baby deliveries is critical to avoid complications. Traditionally, doctors used their own subjective visual estimates to monitor blood loss, creating a margin of error. However, a new digital imaging technology called Triton from Gauss Surgical is taking the guesswork out of the process. The technology uses machine learning and digital imaging on an iPad to track blood loss before, during, and after delivery.

The technology has already been adopted in delivery rooms with tremendous results.

3. Needle-Free Diabetes Care

People with diabetes need to continuously measure their blood glucose levels by pricking themselves with a needle and testing the blood on a monitoring device. Over the past couple of years, there have been some exciting new developments in medical technologies that can take the needle out of the measuring process.

There are a variety of companies and technologies currently providing innovative, needle-free solutions. Most utilize a transdermal biosensor that can read glucose levels without requiring a person to draw blood.

4. Robotic Surgery

Robot-assisted surgery is one of the fastest growing sectors within medical technology. Robot-assisted surgery permits surgeons to perform procedures with incredible precision, making operations that once required four-to-six-inch incisions to be minimally invasive. With a small incision, operations boast shorter hospital stays, quicker recovery, and greatly reduced risk of infection.

Surgical robots are already assisting in a wide range of operations, and as technology continues to advance, they will become more and more prevalent.

5. Sapien Heart Valve

Some patients that require open-heart surgery lack the strength to undergo the operation. A new medical technology from Edwards Life Sciences presents an alternative. Entering through a small incision in the rib cage, the Sapien valve is guided through the femoral artery using a catheter. Once in place, the valve inflates a small balloon to simulate the patient’s damaged valve.

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